# NTSB LAX94LA042: Cooprider WOODY'S Pusher 1972, N29717, San Diego, CA, November 13, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 13, 1993, 07:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.550601, -117.039726 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5506&lon=-117.0397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28596 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28596/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA042 ## Probable cause a delay in the application of carburetor heat by the pilot-in- command. Carburetor icing conditions were a factor in this accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, VISIBLE MOISTURE AND CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS PREVAILED. THE PILOT REPORTED A LENGTHY GROUND RUN AND EXTENDED TAXI TIMES. THE CARBURETOR AIR BOX AND INTAKE SYSTEM WAS A NONSTANDARD CONFIGURATION. AFTER DEPARTURE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, AND THE PILOT APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE PILOT SELECTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING AREA IN A CORN FIELD ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. A POSTCRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND CARBURETOR FAILED TO IDENTIFY ANY MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. ## Factual narrative On November 13, 1993, at 0730 hours Pacific standard time, a homebuilt Cooprider, Woody's Pusher 1972, N29717, crashed during the initial takeoff climb from runway 26R at Brown Field, San Diego, California. The amateur-built experimental airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight in the local area when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he conducted a lengthy ground run and extended taxiing prior to takeoff. After lift-off, the engine lost power and would only produce about 1,500 rpm. The airplane was about 100 feet above the ground and the pilot pulled the carburetor heat control to the "on" position. There was insufficient runway remaining to abort the takeoff. The pilot selected an open cultivated field left of the runway extended centerline as a landing area rather than attempt to return to the airport. The pilot indicated that visible moisture was present. An airworthiness inspector, Federal Aviation Administration, San Diego Flight Standards District Office, examined the airplane. He reported that the airplane's carburetor air box had been modified from a standard configuration. Fuel was present in the carburetor, and the accelerator pump functioned properly. The magnetos produced spark at all leads. According to the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot, the airplane and engine had accumulated a total time in service of 1,800 flight hours. A 100-hour inspection was completed on March 6, 1993, 43.76 hours before the accident. The closest official weather observation station is Brown Field. At 0754 hours, a surface observation was reporting in part: Sky condition and ceiling, 3,000 feet scattered; visibility, 20 miles; temperature, 52 degrees F; dew point, 48 degrees F; wind, 140 degrees at 5 knots; altimeter, 29.91 inHg. According to carburetor icing charts, the temperature/dew point temperature range is conducive for serious icing conditions at any power setting. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29717](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29717-1994-02-23), registration cancelled 1994-02-23, S/N 18 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COOPRIDER WOODY'S PUSHER 1972 (WOODY'S PU) - Registry model: [Coop Rider WOODY'S PUSHER 1972](https://openairdocs.org/model/coop-rider-woody-s-pusher-1972) (registry code 0562411) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 18 - Airframe hours: 1800 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cooprider, Douglas - Registered owner: Cooprider, Rex - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 6, 1993, 44 hours before - Airport: SDM, Brown Field, runway 26R, 7,999 × 200 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 321 total, 44 in this make and model, 230 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SDM, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19931113042659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931113042659A), Nov 13, 1993: Amtrpa PUSHER, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on initial climbout. Landed in cornfield. No anomalies except lengthy ground ops no carb heat used. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.